Everyone needs a little extra space every once in a while. Whether you’re moving, remodeling, or looking to dabble in some casual hoarding, a self-storage unit will give you the space you need.

While most self-storage companies seem the same, we dug into the research so you can spot the differences and choose the best storage facility for your stuff. Whether you’re more concerned about security or saving money, this guide is for you.

#1: Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage lands on the top of our list with its commitment to security and its wide variety of storage unit sizes. Although it’s the second-largest self-storage company in the US, we think those two factors (among others) make it the best choice if you’re looking for short- or long-term storage.

Pros

Secure storage facilities

Regularly scheduled pest protection

Climate-controlled storage units

Open and enclosed vehicle storage

Discounted truck rental

Zero-deductible in-house storage insurance

Cons

Fewer locations than Public Space Storage

Why Extra Space Storage is the best storage company

Reason #1: It protects your belongings

No matter how long you stash your belongings in a storage unit, you want to make sure they’re safe and sound.

#2: Public Storage

Public Storage has the most rentable storage space in the country, with one of the widest varieties of storage unit sizes we came across. Whether you need to store a few boxes or all your worldly possessions, Public Storage can likely take care of you.

Pros

142 million sq. ft. of rentalbe space (most in the country)

Several storage unit sizes

Climate-controlled storage units

Open and enclosed vehicle storage

As low as $1 rent for the first month

Online rental discounts up to 15%

Cons

No explicit guarantee of video surveillance

No guarantee of pest protection

Why we recommend Public Storage

Reason #1: It has the most rentable space

Although Public Storage and Extra Space Storage both operate in thirty-eight states, Public Storage has over forty million more rentable square feet than Extra Space.

That’s a pretty big gap, but what does that mean for you?

Whether you need a large or small unit, you’re more likely to find a vacant storage unit that fits your needs at Public Storage than anywhere else.

You’re also more likely to find a Public Storage facility near you since it has more company-owned locations than the other storage companies on our list.

This comes in handy if you need to visit your storage unit often to pick up stored inventory for your small business or to gaze at that velvet Elvis painting that “doesn’t belong in the guest room.”

Reason #2: It has a wide variety of storage sizes

Regardless of the storage company you choose, you’ll usually have a few options when it comes to storage unit size.

Public Storage has over twelve storage unit sizes, meaning regardless of how much stuff you need to store, it can likely provide a unit large enough to do the job.

Here are some common sizes you’ll find at each Public Storage location:

5′ x 5′

5′ x 10′

5′ x 15′

10′ x 10′

10′ x 15′

10′ x 20′

10′ x 25′

In our research, we also discovered locations with additional sizes, including the following:

10′ x 30′

17′ x 20′

15′ x 20′

12′ x 15′

12′ x 25′

Your local Public Storage location may not have all of the storage unit sizes listed above, but we think there’s still a good chance it has one that will work for you and your collection of antique fainting sofas.

If you need a specific size, be sure to check out Public Storage’s website.

#3: U-Haul Storage

U-Haul is a staple in the DIY moving industry, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it ranks in our top five for self-storage too. Aside from the standard offerings of indoor and outdoor units, U-Haul also offers portable storage containers so you can have your storage unit delivered right to your door.

Pros

Available portable storage option

24-hour access at most locations

Climate-controlled storage units

Open and enclosed vehicle storage

Free first month when you book a one-way truck rental

Cons

Inconsistent storage facility features because not all are U-Haul branded

Why we recommend U-Haul

Reason #1: It has a portable storage option

U-Haul offers all of the standard storage options you’d expect from any reputable storage company. But it also offers something the other companies on our list can’t match—portable storage containers.

Why is this worth mentioning? Put simply, convenience.

U-Haul can send a U-Box (similar to a PODS container) right to your home and pick it up whenever you want.

This is helpful for a few reasons:

You don’t have to rent a truck to haul your stuff to a storage facility

You can access your belongings twenty-four hours a day, right in your front yard

You can use it during a home reno project so you can keep your belongings on site rather than in a storage facility miles away

Reason #2: It offers 24-hour access

If you need to return some items to your storage unit after an evening event, U-Haul has you covered.

Most other storage companies require special accommodations to access your unit overnight, but most of U-Haul’s locations boast twenty-four-hour access. U-Haul’s extended hours provide the flexibility to pick something up or drop it off at a moment’s notice—no matter what time your storage needs arise.

Cons

Why we recommend CubeSmart

Reason #1: It offers discounted and free truck rentals

Yep, you read that correctly.

CubeSmart not only offers discounts on rental trucks, but select locations can lend you a moving truck for free.

When you rent a storage unit from CubeSmart, certain locations can loan you a free local moving truck for up to two hours. Even though this perk is subject to availability, it makes CubeSmart well worth looking into if renting a truck was already on your self-storage to-do list.

If you need a truck for more than two hours, however, CubeSmart can also save you 10% on a Penske truck rental.

Reason #2: It offers other discounts too

A lot of self-storage companies advertise discounts for reserving your unit online, and some even discount the first month’s rent, but CubeSmart adds a couple more ways to save you some dough.

First, let’s cover the basics.

You can save up to 15% off your monthly rent and receive your first month free when you book online (depending on the location, of course).

And here’s where CubeSmart goes above and beyond:

Active military discount: All active duty military save 10% in addition to any other discounts or promotions

CubeSmart offers the most discounts of any of the self-storage companies we researched, so we think it’s a good option if you’re hoping to invest your hard-earned cash into something more exciting like a home renovation or summer vacation.

#5: Simply Self Storage

Simply Self Storage rounds out our top five self-storage companies. Although it didn’t make the top of the list, its automatic self-storage coverage and list of standard features make it a good option if you live near one of its storage facilities.

Pros

Automatically applies $2,000 in self-storage coverage

Climate-controlled units

Outdoor vehicle storage

RV and boat parking

Cons

Fewest locations of any company on our list

No guarantee of pest protection

Why we recommend Simply Self Storage

Reason #1: It has automatic unit coverage

Regardless of which storage company you choose, you’re almost always required to insure the items in your unit.

While all of the companies we’ve recommended offer insurance options you can opt in to and purchase, Simply Self Storage applies coverage automatically when you rent your storage unit.

For $9 per month, Simply Self Storage adds $2,000 in coverage to your rental as part of its Safeguard Program. This is great news if you don’t have a homeowners policy that can cover your storage unit or if you want to supplement your homeowners insurance to better protect the items in your unit.

You always have the option to opt out of this coverage, but we like how Simply Self Storage automatically ensures your storage unit is properly insured from the get-go.

Fun Fact

Fun Fact

Most homeowners insurance policies cover belongings stored away from your home, but many policies have lower coverage limits for stored items than for items in your house.

Self-storage insurance can cover your belongings if you don’t have homeowners insurance, or it can bridge the gap if your stored stuff is more valuable than your coverage limit.

Not all Simply Self Storage facilities offer automatic coverage, however, so be sure to talk to the manager at your nearest location to make sure it does before you reserve your unit.

Reason #2: It offers all the standard features

Despite being a relatively small national self-storage brand, Simply Self Storage still offers all of the features you’d expect to find at any of reputable self-storage facility.

Here are just a few of the main features you’ll find at your Simply Self Storage facility:

Climate-controlled storage

Indoor storage

RV and boat parking

Moving supplies

Carts and dollies

On-site managers

Video surveillance

Electronic gates with coded access

Much like the other companies on our list, not all Simply Self Storage facilities offer every feature on this list. If one of these features is a must-have for you, we recommend speaking to a Simply Self Storage representative to make sure your location offers what you need.

Recapping our top self-storage companies

Let us know which self-storage company you choose!

Have you stored your belongings with one of the self-storage companies on our list? Share your experience in the comments below so our readers can get your take too!

About Colin Holmes

Colin is no stranger to moving, having done so five times in the last five years. As a former journalist and documentary interviewer, Colin brings a wealth of research experience to improving your move.

Jeff DeBaker

I have serious doubts about the integrity of these rankings. There is no way Public Storage belongs in the top 1000. Their customer service is horrendous, and their unannounced rate increases are ridiculous (74% in my case). It is impossible to speak to a live person at the corporate level. I have not even been with them a year and I paid May thru December in advance or I’d already be gone. DO NOT recommend.